AMSTERDAM, April 3 (Reuters) - The Dutch Senate has

postponed a vote on a law that would permanently close the

Groningen gas field in the north of the Netherlands, as a

majority called for more guarantees on the country's energy

security.

Normal gas production at Groningen ended last October after

years of production cuts to limit seismic risks in the region.

The gas field has been available for limited production

during a cold snap in recent months, but the government has

proposed a law that would close the field entirely by Oct. 1.

That law was backed by the Lower House of parliament last

month, but several Senate fractions on Tuesday said they needed

more guarantees that the law would not jeopardise the security

of the country's gas supply.

Among those asking to postpone the vote were three of the

four parties that are currently trying to form a new government,

including the nationalist PVV party that won the November 2023

election and the centre right VVD of outgoing Prime Minister

Mark Rutte.

Without the law, gas production could theoretically be

resumed and Lower House lawmakers on Wednesday said they feared

a considerable delay and ongoing uncertainty for people living

in the region.

Rutte's caretaker government, in charge until a new

government is formed, has repeatedly said it will not resume gas

production at Groningen under any circumstance.

VVD lawmaker Silvio Erkens on Wednesday also said the

decision to end gas production would not be reconsidered.

"But the Senate has the right to ask for more information,"

he added.